It appears a national program that began in 1999 to ensure the conservation of the gravesites of Canada's prime ministers has fallen by the wayside.
Using access-to-information legislation, the National Post has found the burial sites have crumbling stonework, fading or illegible inscriptions, and missing signage.
The sandstone obelisk with leaf-like motifs on Alexander Mackenzie gravestone has fallen into disrepair at his burial site at Lakeview Cemetary in Sarnia. The report says there have been "many areas of loss" with previous repair attempts "unsuccessful" and "unattractive."
Mayor Mike Bradley says it's simply unacceptable, especially as we celebrate our 150th birthday.
"I intend to be in touch with the federal government to directly say that they committed in the past to respect these gravesites in our 150th year," he says. "They need to do more and show basic respect for these prime ministers' sites."
Parks Canada, according to the newspaper, says once the reports are finished this spring, their final recommendations will be reviewed to determine "how and when the challenges will be addressed."
